HARRISBURG – Pennsylvania Treasurer Robin L. Wiessmann today reminded consumers that unlike several websites designed to help recover your unclaimed property, the Pennsylvania Treasury Department will assist them in claiming what is theirs free of charge.
“If you are asked to pay a fee to recover your unclaimed property, I urge you to instead contact Treasury where one of our claims representatives will assist you free of charge,” Treasurer Wiessmann said. “We will never charge a fee to return your money or property to you – we help you claim what is yours!”
To find out if you have unclaimed property, visit Treasury’s website at www.patreasury.org and enter their name into the free Unclaimed Property Database or call the unclaimed property hotline toll-free at 1-800-222-2046, Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Each year, Treasury receives millions of dollars in unclaimed property from abandoned bank accounts, forgotten stocks, checks that have not been cashed, certificates of deposit, life insurance policies, safe deposit boxes, and other sources. Treasury maintains custody of this unclaimed property, holding assets indefinitely, until it is returned to its rightful owners. In 2007 alone, Treasury returned nearly $88.8 million in unclaimed property to approximately 63,000 owners.
The Pennsylvania Treasury Department, under the leadership of Treasurer Robin L. Wiessmann, acts as the Commonwealth’s bank, serving as custodian, investor and disburser of the Commonwealth’s funds. Treasury also offers a variety of programs and services that help Pennsylvanians find money with the Unclaimed Property program, save money with the nowU College Savings Program and the KeystoneHELP low-interest loan program, or invest money with the INVEST program for local governments and nonprofits. For more information about Treasurer Wiessmann and the Pennsylvania Treasury Department, visit www.patreasury.org.
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